Pregnenolone is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body and serves as a precursor to many other hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol.
Pregnenolone is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body and serves as a precursor to many other hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol. It has gained attention as a potential integrator due to its wide range of biological effects, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. In this article, we will explore the potential benefits of using pregnenolone as an integrator, how to choose the best pregnenolone integrator, and the current state of research in this area.
What is an Integrator?
An integrator is a substance or supplement that helps to improve the functioning of multiple systems or processes in the body. Integrators are often used in complementary and alternative medicine to promote overall health and well-being.
Pregnenolone as an Integrator
Pregnenolone has been suggested as a potential integrator due to its ability to serve as a precursor to multiple hormones in the body. In addition, pregnenolone has been shown to have a wide range of biological effects, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. These properties suggest that pregnenolone may be able to improve the functioning of multiple systems in the body.
Potential Benefits of Pregnenolone as an Integrator
Pregnenolone has been suggested as a potential integrator for a variety of conditions and health concerns. Some potential benefits of pregnenolone as an integrator include:
- Improving cognitive function: Pregnenolone has been shown to have neuroprotective properties and may be able to improve cognitive function. A study published in the journal Psychopharmacology found that pregnenolone improved working memory in healthy adults.
- Reducing inflammation: Pregnenolone has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and may be able to reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a common factor in many chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease and autoimmune diseases.
- Improving mood: Pregnenolone has been shown to have anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in animal studies. A study published in the journal Psychopharmacology found that pregnenolone reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in healthy adults.
- Supporting adrenal function: Pregnenolone is synthesized in the adrenal glands and may be able to support adrenal function. Adrenal dysfunction is a common factor in many chronic conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Choosing the Best Pregnenolone Integrator
When choosing a pregnenolone integrator, there are several factors to consider. These include:
- Quality: Choose a pregnenolone integrator that is made by a reputable company and has been third-party tested for quality and purity.
- Dosage: The optimal dosage of pregnenolone as an integrator is not yet known. It is important to follow the dosage recommendations on the supplement label or to consult with a healthcare provider.
- Form: Pregnenolone integrators are available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, and creams. Choose a form that is most convenient and effective for your needs.
- Other ingredients: Some pregnenolone integrators may contain other ingredients, such as vitamins or minerals. Consider whether these ingredients are beneficial for your needs and whether they interact with any other medications or supplements you are taking.
Current State of Research
Pregnenolone and COVID-19
Anti-inflammatory Effects of Pregnenolone
Inflammation is a natural response of the immune system to infection or injury. However, in some cases, inflammation can become chronic and contribute to the development of disease. COVID-19 is known to cause an inflammatory response in the body, which can lead to severe respiratory symptoms and other complications.
Pregnenolone has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of studies. For example, a study published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation found that pregnenolone reduced inflammation in the brains of mice with multiple sclerosis. Another study published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology found that pregnenolone reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in rats with arthritis.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Pregnenolone
Pregnenolone has been shown to modulate the immune response in a variety of studies. For example, a study published in the Journal of Neuroimmunology found that pregnenolone reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brains of mice with multiple sclerosis. Another study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry found that pregnenolone reduced the activation of microglia, immune cells in the brain that can contribute to inflammation and neuronal damage.
Potential Benefits of Pregnenolone in the Treatment of COVID-19
Given its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, pregnenolone has been suggested as a potential treatment for COVID-19. Specifically, pregnenolone may help to reduce the inflammatory response and modulate the immune response, potentially improving outcomes for patients with COVID-19.
There is currently limited research on the use of pregnenolone in the treatment of COVID-19. However, there are several ongoing clinical trials investigating the use of pregnenolone and other hormones in the treatment of COVID-19. For example, a study sponsored by the University of California, Los.
Tel Aviv University, in collaboration with Arthritis & Rheumatic Disease Specialties (AARDS) based in Miami, FL, USA, formulated a unique oral nutraceutical supplement containing only approved dietary supplements and ingredients “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This combination would, by design, be natural, free of any known side effects, and with limited drug interactions. The final formulation relied on new experimental data (presented here), clinical experience in treating long-hauler patients at AARDS with multiple clinical symptoms over 2 years, and scientific literature (Table 1).
The researchers selected the ingredients for their unique immuno-modulation properties and activities, reduction in pain, anxiety and depression, potential effect on dysautonomia, anticoagulation activity, as well as the ability to inhibit viral replication. We report here the results of a clinical study aimed at testing this nutraceutical formula as a standalone treatment in a population of COVID long haulers.
TABLE 1
List of compounds included in our nutraceutical combination and their relevance for COVID long haulers.
| Active ingredient | Properties and activities | References |
| β-caryophyllene (βCP) | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic | (18, 27–29) |
| Pregnenolone | Modulator of inflammation, regulator of neuroinflammation | (22, 30–32) |
| Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) | Anti-inflammatory, improves dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, immune modulator | (33–35) |
| Bromelain | Anti-inflammatory, antiviral (Anti-SARS-CoV-2), fibrinolytic | (36–39) |
| St. John’s Wort extract | SRI* for treating autonomic dysfunction and impaired balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems | (40, 41) |
| Boswellia Serrata gum/resin extract (AKBA) | Anti-inflammatory, COVID-19 therapeutic agent, respiratory support | (42–44) |
| Quercetin | Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immune modulator, antioxidant | (45–47) |
| Zinc compound | Essential to preserve natural tissue barriers such as the respiratory epithelium, balanced function of the immune system and the redox system, antiviral | (48, 49) |
| Vitamin D | Reducing inflammation induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection | (50, 51) |
The researchers have reported that selective CB2 agonists are potent immunomodulators of the innate immune system, both in vivo and in vitro (15, 16), and showed that CB2 agonists inhibit cytokine expression in LPS-exposed macrophages in cultures and decrease ear edema in a skin inflammation model in mice (16).
Following these results, we tested the hypothesis that β-caryophyllene (βCP), a dietary terpene that is also a selective CB2 agonist (17, 18), reduces the exaggerated inflammatory response induced by pathogens.
Another approach to attenuate inflammation and associated tissue damage is using steroids. In contrast to glucocorticosteroids such as dexamethasone, pregnenolone is a steroid hormone precursor with known anti-inflammatory properties in myeloid cells (19), does not induce lymphocyte apoptosis (20) and may even promote thymocyte survival and differentiation (21).
Pregnenolone (Preg) and its metabolites suppress the secretion of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6 mediated through TLR2 and TLR4 signaling in macrophages (22). Also relevant to long-haulers, Preg can help with cognitive and neurological issues, partly via binding to TRPM3, without causing bone loss (23–26).
In addition to βCP and Preg, we included Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Bromelain, St. John’s Wort extract, Boswellia Serrata gum/resin extract (AKBA), Quercetin, zinc compound, and vitamin D. The rationale for including each compound is summarized in Table 1.
reference link :https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9641293/
